Pattern of cardiac conduction defects – A hospital based study

Background: The interest in cardiac conduction system has focused primarily on its role as a predictor of mortality and coexistent cardiovascular diseases particularly hospitalized patients. Objectives: The study was undertaken to study the pattern of cardiac conduction defects in a tertiary care hospital. Methodology: The study was conducted from 1st March 2012 to 31st august 2013 and included cases >20yrs of age presenting to OPD or admitted in SMHS hospital and showing some form of cardiac conduction defect on a standard 12 lead ECG. A total of 1710 cases were studied. A thorough medical history and meticulous physical examination was done and appropriate statistical methods applied to derive the results. Results: Of the 1710 cases, 990(57.9%) were males and 720(42.1%) were females. Most of cases were seen in the age group of 70-79yrs (25.7%). The various cardiac conduction defects in decreasing order of frequency were: LBBB 501 (29.2%), LAHB 431 (25.2%), RBBB 308 (18.01%), Bifascicular block 173(10.1%), Complete Heart Block 104(6.08%), 2nd degree heart block 91(5.32), Trifascicular Block 48(2.8%), 1st degree Heart block 34(1.99%), SI SII SIII Syndrome 13(0.76%) and LPHB 7(0.4%). Conclusion: LBBB is the most common conduction defect in a hospitalized setting. The cardiac conduction defects increase with advancing age and a close follow up on patients cardiac status should be maintained as they are linked with significant morbidity and mortality.